Using Square hardware with the Box Office app allows you to accept credit card payments using Square readers. In this article, we will cover how to connect your Square account, pair your reader, and process transactions through the Box Office app.

Pro Tip: The Box Office app supports the following Square card readers:

Square Reader for Contactless and Chip (1st and 2nd Generation)
Square Reader for Magstripe (USB-C, Lightning, or Headset Jack with an adapter)

Note: To use Square, you must meet the following:

Have a Square payment processor set up
Host your event in the United States
Use an iPad running iOS 16.6 or later

Log In to the Box Office App

Once you have created your Box Office app key, you can log into the Box Office App. If you haven't already, first download the app here.

Pro Tip: To use the Box Office app, you'll first need to create an app key for your TicketSpice event. Click here to learn how to do so.

Open the Box Office app
Enter a Device Name (this name is for internal and reporting purposes only. This name helps you identify different devices if you're using more than one)
Enter the Zip Code where you are using the Box Office
Enter the App Key (click here to learn how to find this key)
Tap Enter

Pro Tip: When entering your App Key, the Box Office app automatically adds dashes for your app key, so you don't need to add these when typing your app key.

Enter the cashier's name who is making the Box Office transactions. This is used for tracking later
Tap Starting Cash, and enter your event's starting cash. If you enabled denomination breakout in your app key, enter the quantity for each cash denomination and tap Save
Tap Start Session

Note: If you only plan to accept card sales and don't have any cash on hand, we recommend adding "0" to the starting cash amount.

Connect Your Square Account

Tap the hamburger (☰) icon in the top left corner
Tap Settings
In the Square Account section, tap Login
Tap Continue

Tap Allow to allow the Box Office app to access your Square account
Select the correct location for this Box Office session (if applicable)

Pro Tip: Locations are managed within your Square account, not in the Box Office app.

Under Card Readers, tap Request Permissions next to Square
Allow the Bluetooth, Location, and Microphone permissions for the Box Office app

Note: You must accept Bluetooth, Location, and Microphone permissions to login and use Square.

Pair a Square Card Reader

Before you can accept payments with Square in the Box Office app, you'll need to pair your card reader. The pairing process depends on the type of Square reader you're using. Select your reader below and follow the appropriate instructions.

Pair a Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

Note: Your Square reader must be disconnected from the Square app to work in the Box Office app.

Tap the hamburger (☰) icon in the top left corner
Tap Settings
In the Card Readers section, tap Pair next to Square

In the Devices tab, tap Pair a Reader
On your Square reader, press and hold the power button on your reader until the lights flash orange
Release the button and place the reader next to your Box Office device
Click Pair on your Box Office app

After connecting your reader, you will see Ready next to Square

Pair a Square Reader for Magstripe

Plug in the Magstripe reader into your iOS device
The Box Office app automatically detects the reader after it is connected. This can take up to 1 minute
After connecting your reader, you will see Ready next to Square

Unpair a Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

You can unpair a Square Reader for Contactless and Chip from the Box Office app if you need to connect a different reader or troubleshoot your current one. Follow the steps below to remove the pairing.

Tap the hamburger (☰) icon in the top left corner
Tap Settings
Under Card Readers, tap Ready next to Square

Tap the reader you want to forget
Tap Forget Reader

Process a Payment

After your Square reader is connected, you can begin accepting payments.

Add tickets to the cart in the Box Office app
Tap Checkout
Tap Credit Card as the payment method

Complete the payment using the Square reader (tap or insert)

Wait for Square's confirmation screen

Once the payment is accepted, enter the attendee’s name and email address to send a confirmation email, or tap Skip to continue without sending one
Tap New Sale to begin the next transaction

FAQs

Why am I getting an error message when I click "Checkout with Square?

We show the error message "Error! In order to checkout, please enable permissions in iOS Settings for Boxoffice" if you have not enabled all permissions.

If you see this error, we recommend going to your iPad settings, and ensuring that the Bluetooth, Location, and Microphone permissions are enabled for the Box Office app.

Why am I seeing the error: "Point of Sale failed to pair with your reader for contactless and chip. Please try pairing again"?

If you are seeing this error, we recommend disconnecting the Square reader from the Square App. The device can only be connected to one app at a time.

Can I use tap to pay with Square and the Box Office?

Yes, you can use tap to pay to sell tickets on the Box Office when using Square.

If I use a Square reader with the Box Office app, can I choose which payment processor the transactions will go through or does it have to process through Square?

When you use a Square reader, the transactions will exclusively process through the Square processor on the Box Office app. You are unable to use a Square reader with a different payment processor.

Is Square supported in Canada or other international countries?

Right now, Square is only available in the United States. Square is not available in Canada or any other countries.

Will I be charged the 1% custom payment processing fee when using Square in the Box Office app?

No, TicketSpice does not charge the 1% custom payment processor fee when using Square in the Box Office app.

Using Square Hardware with the Box Office App